Obong of Calabar, receives Staff of Office (11/7/08)

The conflicting claims of ascension to the highest Efik throne has been put to rest with the swearing in of His Majesty, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as Obong of Calabar and Paramount Ruler of the Efiks by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on Friday at the State Cultural Centre, Calabar.

Imoke urged Otu to justify the confidence and trust which informed his choice by serving his people well and bringing glory to the entire land, while charging him to be magnanimous as every great leader would do while managing both his success as well as his travails, adding that he must do all he can to integrate his Etuboms in order to forge a united front that will always ensure progress and development of the entire Efik nation.

“As you ascend the throne of your fore fathers, I equally urge Your Majesty to cast your mind back to the pre-colonial era when the traditional institution held forte and ensured harmonious coexistence amongst our people. We believe you can make less burdensome the work of our law enforcement agencies who daily strive to ensure that our society is free from the activities of miscreants and other law breakers.” he advised.

Imoke noted that it is also expedient to draw His Majesty’s attention to the extant law (the Traditional Rulers Law of 1978) which set up the traditional institute in the state, for his guidance as it clearly spells out, the responsibilities of his office.

The Governor averred that, the legacies which the traditional institution has bequeathed to the modern day society cover such areas as Commerce, Trade and Industry, Administration, Enforcement of Law and Order, besides the noble roles which traditional rulers play as custodians and guidance of customs, norms and traditions. He added, that this is why governments across the nation still revere traditional institutions in recognition of the important roles they play in guaranteeing peace, order and good governance in the polity.

He summed that “it is with this in mind that we are today investing His Majesty, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V with authority as the Grand patriarch of the Efiks, both at home and in the diasporas let me therefore formally congratulate Your Majesty on successfully emerging as the Obong of Calabar and Paramount Ruler of the Efiks”.

The Special Adviser Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Surveyor Emmanuel Arop in his introductory remarks, disclosed that the need for the investiture of Otu as Obong of Calabar rose with the demise of the erstwhile Obong, Prof Nta Elijah Henshaw, adding that the Etuboms in Council performed a crucial assignment to pave the way.

Arop revealed that the council met between April 28 and May 2, 2008 and emerged and coronate Otu as Obong elect at Efe Asabo, saying that the council later presented him to government in a colorful ceremony after meeting all requirements as a clan head, and village head, before presenting him for coronation as Obong of Calabar.

The Obong of Calabar and Paramount ruler of the Efiks His Majesty, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V in his acceptance speech, said his investiture would strengthen his resolve as a natural ruler as he will not betray the confidence repose on him.

Otu, who is the 51 st Obong of Calabar, described his Staff of Office as symbolic of the reunion of the Efik kingdom.

The Obong who was born on November 20, 1949, is a Catholic and a Knight of Saint Mulumba.

As a mark of identification, support and solidarity, Efik law makers in the National and State Assemblies, paramount rulers, Council Chairmen and Councilors of Efik speaking Local Government Areas in their traditional regalia were in attendance, and with this, what remains is the church Coronation and thanksgiving.

Government House Press